Glaucoma awareness rally held

Vijayawada: “About eight percent of blindness in India is due to glaucoma. It is the second leading cause of blindness and leads to irreversible blindness with 1.2 million affected people and 1.2 million blind due to glaucoma,” said Amaravati Eye Hospital glaucoma specialist Sailaja.

On the occasion of World Glaucoma Week starting from March 11 to 17, a glaucoma awareness rally was organised by Amaravati Eye Hospital from Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium (IGMS) to Amaravati Eye Hospital here on Sunday.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Sailaja said more than 90 percent of glaucoma was undiagnosed in the country. “We do not have any symptoms of it at early stages. Every citizen above 40 years of age need to get checked for any evidence of glaucoma every six months,” she added.

She said that free consultation would be offered for people above 50 years this week and appealed them to get their eyes tested which will avoid blindness occurred due to glaucoma.

The rally was flagged off by senior journalist Turlapati Kutumba Rao. Dr Nadella Venu, Dr Mohan, hospital staff, IGMS Walkers Club and Tirumala Walkers Association members took part in the rally.